Think about discovering just a few dusty bottles of bourbon over 100 and twenty years previous in your loved ones’s possessions. Chances are you’ll marvel how the bottles might have survived intact after greater than a century, and much more importantly, would the bourbon be drinkable? Spoiler alert, the reply in our story was sure.
The fashionable story of Joseph A. Magnus & Co. begins with such a discovery in 2007. The unique Joseph A. Magnus, a wholesaler, and producer of spirits within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was a profitable and well-respected businessman in his time. Nonetheless, his story had lengthy light into historical past, and even his household solely knew vaguely about his life and work. Then, Magnus’s great-grandson Jimmy Turner found the aged bottles and set off to be taught who his ancestor was. This led to uncovering a outstanding life and assortment of whiskeys seemingly misplaced to time as a result of arrival of Prohibition.
We requested Ali Anderson, Nationwide Gross sales Supervisor for Jos A. Magnus & Co. to share the model’s unimaginable story.
Inform us a bit concerning the historical past of the brand- the highlights.
Joseph A Magnus is a high-end bourbon model with a outstanding historical past courting again to the center of the nineteenth century. Joseph A Magnus himself was a savvy businessman who constructed up a liquor empire primarily based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, priding himself not solely on the standard and age of his spirits, but in addition on clever and honorable enterprise strategies. The model turned recognized for its scrumptious taste, incomparable bouquet, mellowness, and purity. In 1918, the arrival of Nationwide Prohibition prompted Magnus to pause his whiskey manufacturing and gross sales, and the story of his success started to fade into legend. Nevertheless, practically a century later, just a few fastidiously preserved bottles of 122-year-old Murray Hill Membership Whiskey have been found by certainly one of Magnus’ great-grandsons. Utilizing the identical mixing and ending methods Joseph Magnus employed over 100 years in the past, Magnus Grasp Blender, Nancy Fraley, finishes 12-year-old bourbon in a triple cask ending course of utilizing Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximénez, and Cognac casks to come back as shut as doable to the unique Joseph Magnus Bourbon in that 122-year-old bottle. Right this moment, Joseph A Magnus is a extremely acclaimed bourbon model nonetheless heralded as one of the crucial outstanding spirits for probably the most outstanding individuals.
Discuss to us about one thing most individuals wouldn’t know concerning the story of the model.
Through the prohibition period in the US, Magnus needed to halt his whiskey manufacturing and gross sales, because it was unlawful. Nevertheless, he continued to take pleasure in high-quality spirits and even hosted secret tastings for family and friends at his residence. His dedication to the craft of whiskey-making didn’t waver, and he eagerly shared his information and experience together with his family members, passing down the secrets and techniques of his course of. This dedication to the craft, even throughout a time when it was unlawful, speaks to the eagerness and dedication that has been on the coronary heart of the Joseph Magnus model since its inception.
What’s most essential for bartenders to know concerning the model?
Joseph A Magnus bourbons are produced utilizing a singular triple cask ending course of, which includes ageing the bourbon in three totally different casks – Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximénez, and Cognac. This course of imparts distinctive taste and complexity to the bourbon, making it stand out from different bourbons out there. Joseph A Magnus is a high-end bourbon model with a outstanding historical past courting again to the younger, war-torn America of the center nineteenth century, producing extremely acclaimed whiskies that are loved by individuals of discriminating style even after greater than 130 years since its founding.
Discuss to us concerning the distillation methods- what units it aside?
The distillation strategies employed by Joseph A Magnus are extremely exact and contain a triple cask ending course of, which incorporates utilizing Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximénez, and Cognac casks to present the bourbon its distinctive taste profile and noteworthy smoothness. Right this moment, the bourbon is aged to maturity and blended by the Grasp Blenders, Will Fabry and Nancy Fraley, who use the identical methods that Joseph Magnus himself used over a century in the past, leading to a very distinctive and extremely sought-after bourbon.
How might a bartender describe the model to a visitor in 2 sentences or much less.
Joseph A. Magnus Bourbon is a triple-cask completed 12-year-old bourbon with a wealthy historical past courting again to the nineteenth century, recognized for its distinctive style and high quality.
What are bartenders doing with the model’s whiskies?
For many, bartenders are providing straight pours of our Magnus whiskies- Murray Hill Membership, Cigar Mix, and Magnus bourbon. Neat or with a big rock. For others, they’re making excessive finish cocktails with the Magnus bourbon. Recipes for these cocktails included beneath.
Discuss to us about being a “explicit model for explicit individuals.”
The thought of being a specific model for explicit individuals implies a deal with high quality and exclusivity, catering to these with refined tastes and a discerning palate. Joseph Magnus Bourbon embodies this idea by means of its meticulous manufacturing course of, use of premium components, and a spotlight to element in ageing and ending methods, leading to a definite taste profile that appeals to whiskey connoisseurs.
Scofflaw
Components:
- 2 oz Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 1 to 2 dashes grenadine
- 1 sprint orange bitters
Preparation: Mix Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey, dry vermouth, lemon juice, grenadine, and orange bitters in a shaker with ice and shake till well-chilled. Pressure into a calming coupe glass.
Ginger Julep
Components:
- 1 ½ oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon
- 8 mint leaves
- ¼ oz easy syrup
- ½” knob of ginger
- Mint stalk, garnish
Preparation: In a shaker tin, add mint leaves, easy syrup and ginger knob, and muddle. Add Joseph Magnus Bourbon and ice and stir vigorously. Pressure combination right into a julep tin with crushed ice and garnish with mint stalk.
Magnus’ Daiquiri
Components:
- 2 oz Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 oz lime juice
- ¾ oz easy syrup
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
Preparation: In a shaker tin with ice add all components and mix. Pressure into a calming coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel.
